Adjustable leg exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an adjustable leg exercise apparatus for allowing a user to perform a leg exercise while sitting on a sitting structure, or alternatively, when standing in a modified standing position. In a first embodiment, the adjustable leg exercise apparatus includes a foot engagement member; a knee-thigh engagement member; at least one elastic resistance member; at least one foot securing mechanism for securing or locking the foot engagement member to the at least one elastic resistance member; at least one knee-thigh securing mechanism for securing or locking the knee-thigh engagement member to the at least one elastic resistance member; and a plurality of length adjustment and securing devices for securing each of the at least one elastic resistance member in any one of a plurality of predetermined adjustment positions. In a second embodiment, the knee-thigh engagement member may include a knee-thigh wrapping device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/612,379, filed Dec. 30, 2017, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to leg exercise devices,apparatuses and systems. More specifically, the present invention isdirected to an adjustable leg exercise apparatus for allowing a user toperform a leg exercise while sitting on a sitting structure.Alternatively, a user of the apparatus may also perform the leg exercisein a modified standing position.

Description of the Related Art

About seventy percent of the U.S. population sits while working, and anaverage American sits about 13 hours a day every day, mostly at work.This unhealthy lifestyle may be a cause of many serious health issues toa large number of people, ranging from brain drain to back and neck painand even colon cancer.

The body part that is most passive while people sit is the legs, andprolonged periods of sitting will or may result in the lack of bloodcirculation to the legs and degeneration of leg bones and muscles, amongother problems. The negative effects of prolonged sitting are serious,yet so far there has been no exercise equipment specifically designed toenable people to exercise the legs in a comfortable, convenient andeffective manner while sitting on a sitting structure, such as a chair,sofa, bench or bed, at home or at work.

Leg exercise devices, appratuses and systems are known in the art.

The present invention will provide people with the opportunity to keeptheir legs active while sitting, or alternatively, in a modifiedstanding position, and consequently improve the legs' health as well asthe health of the whole body, and at the same time tone and shape thelegs so that they will look better.

Further, the present invention overcomes one or more of the shortcomingsof leg exercise devices, appratuses and systems. The Applicant isunaware of inventions or patents, taken either singly or in combination,which are seen to describe the present invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an adjustable leg exerciseapparatus for allowing a user to perform a leg exercise while sitting ona sitting structure. Alternatively, a user of the apparatus may alsoperform the leg exercise in a modified standing position where anexercising foot of the user is positioned on an elevated structure abovethe non-exercising foot.

In a first embodiment, the adjustable leg exercise apparatus includes afoot engagement member; a knee-thigh engagement member; at least oneelastic resistance member; at least one foot securing mechanism forsecuring or locking the foot engagement member to the at least oneelastic resistance member; at least one knee-thigh securing mechanismfor securing or locking the knee-thigh engagement member to the at leastone elastic resistance member; and a plurality of length adjustment andsecuring devices for securing each of the at least one elasticresistance member in any one of a plurality of predetermined adjustmentpositions.

In a second embodiment, the adjustable leg exercise apparatus issubstantially similar to the adjustable leg exercise apparatus of thefirst embodiment, with some differences, such as the knee-thighengagement member further including a knee-thigh wrapping device forwrapping around at least a substantial portion of the exercisingknee-thigh of the exercising leg of the user during use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an embodiment of anadjustable leg exercise apparatus according to the present invention,showing a non-limiting example of how the apparatus may be positioned onan exercising leg of a user during or prior to use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foot engagement member of theadjustable leg exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a knee-thigh engagement member of theadjustable leg exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an elastic resistance member and theknee-thigh engagement member of the adjustable leg exercise apparatus ofFIG. 1, showing the elastic resistance member and the knee-thighengagement member being secured to one another at one of a plurality ofpredetermined adjustment positions;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the elastic resistance member and theknee-thigh engagement member of the adjustable leg exercise apparatus ofFIG. 4, showing the elastic resistance member and the knee-thighengagement member being secured to one another at another of theplurality of predetermined adjustment positions;

FIG. 6 is an environmental, perspective view of another embodiment of anadjustable leg exercise apparatus according to the present invention,showing a non-limiting example of how the apparatus may be positioned onan exercising leg of a user during or prior to use;

FIG. 7 is an environmental, perspective view of the adjustable legexercise apparatus of FIG. 6, showing a non-limiting example of how theapparatus may be positioned on an exercising leg of a user during orprior to use, and showing a user of the apparatus positioned in amodified standing position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a foot engagement member of theadjustable leg exercise apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the foot engagement member of the adjustableleg exercise apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a knee-thigh engagement member of theadjustable leg exercise apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the knee-thigh engagement member of theadjustable leg exercise apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an elastic resistance member of the adjustableleg exercise apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an elastic resistance member and theknee-thigh engagement member of the adjustable leg exercise apparatus ofFIG. 6, showing the elastic resistance member and the knee-thighengagement member being secured to one another at one of a plurality ofpredetermined adjustment positions; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the elastic resistance member and theknee-thigh engagement member of the adjustable leg exercise apparatus ofFIG. 13, showing the elastic resistance member and the knee-thighengagement member being secured to one another at another of theplurality of predetermined adjustment positions.

It should be understood that the above-attached figures are not intendedto limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-14, the present invention is an adjustable legexercise apparatus 100,200 for allowing a user U to perform a legexercise while sitting on a sitting structure SS, such as, but notlimited to, a chair, a bench, an automobile seat, a bus seat, anairplane seat, a bed, a sofa, and any sitting structure known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the user U of the apparatus100,200 may also perform the leg exercise in a modified standingposition where an exercising foot EFT of the user U is positioned on anelevated surface ES of the sitting structure SS or on an elevatedstructure (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a street curb, awalking path curb, a foot stool, or any structure that is elevatedseveral inches to a few feet (depending on the length of the user's legsand/or on the user's desired elevation height) above the non-exercisingfoot NEFT.

In a first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the adjustable legexercise apparatus 100 includes a foot engagement member 110; aknee-thigh engagement member 120; at least one elastic resistance member130,140; at least one foot securing mechanism 150 for securing orlocking the foot engagement member 110 to the at least one elasticresistance member 130,140; at least one knee-thigh securing mechanism160 for securing or locking the knee-thigh engagement member 120 to theat least one elastic resistance member 130,140; and a plurality oflength adjustment and securing devices 180,181 for securing each of theat least one elastic resistance member 130,140 in any one of theplurality of predetermined adjustment positions P1,P2,P3.

The foot engagement member 110 may be a foot engagement pad, a footengagement strap, a shoe, a sandal, a slipper, a piece or portion ofrope, any foot engagement member known to one of ordinary skill in theart, or any combination thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thefoot engagement member 110 is a foot engagement pad 110 that comprises afirst end 112, a second end 114, a body 116 extending from the first end112 to the second end 114, a top side 118, and a bottom side 119. Thebody 116 is dimensioned and configured for receiving, accommodating orengaging with at least a sufficient portion of an exercising foot EFT ofthe user U during use such that the adjustable leg exercise apparatus100 is temporarily secured in place by the exercising foot EFT andexercising knee-thigh EKT to allow the user U to perform a leg exercisewith the exercising leg ELG. In a non-limiting example and as shown inFIG. 1, the foot engagement pad 110 is positioned underneath theexercising foot EFT during use.

The knee-thigh engagement member 120 may be a knee-thigh engagement pad,a knee-thigh engagement strap, any knee-thigh engagement member known toone of ordinary skill in the art, or any combination thereof. As bestshown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the knee-thigh engagement member 120 is aknee-thigh engagement pad 120 that comprises a first end 122, a secondend 124, a body 126 extending from the first end 122 to the second end124, a top side 128, and a bottom side 129. The body 126 is dimensionedand configured for accommodating or engaging with at least a sufficientportion of an exercising knee-thigh EKT, preferably above the knee capKCAP and near or at the pre-thigh to thigh area THI, of the user Uduring use such that the adjustable leg exercise apparatus 100 istemporarily secured in place by the exercising foot EFT and exercisingknee-thigh EKT to allow the user U to perform a leg exercise with theexercising leg ELG. In a non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 1,the knee-thigh engagement pad 120 wraps over or is positioned near thepre-thigh to thigh area THI of the exercising knee-thigh EKT of the userU during use. Preferably, the knee-thigh engagement pad 120 hassufficient flexibility such that the knee-thigh engagement pad 120 isable to wrap over the upper portion of the pre-thigh to thigh area THIof the exercising knee-thigh EKT of the user U. Alternatively, the theknee-thigh engagement pad 120 may be made or manufactured in aparticular shape where the knee-thigh engagement pad 120 is able to wrapover the upper portion of the pre-thigh to thigh area THI of theexercising knee-thigh EKT of the user U.

Preferably, the at least one elastic resistance member 130,140 is a pairof elastic resistance members 130,140. Preferably, each of the pair ofelastic resistance members 130,140 is substantially or exactly the sameas the other. Each of the pair of elastic resistance members 130,140 maybe an elastic resistance band, an elastic resistance rope, any elasticresistance member known to one of ordinary skill in the art, or anycombination thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the pair ofelastic resistance members 130,140 is a pair of elastic resistance bands130,140 wherein each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140comprises a first end 132,142, a second end 134,144, and an elongatedbody 136,146 extending from the first end 132,142 to the second end134,144. Preferably, the foot engagement member 110 is secured a closerdistance to the first end 132,142 than to the second end 134,144 of eachof the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140. More preferably, thefoot engagement member 110 is secured at the first end 132,142 of eachof the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140. Preferably, theknee-thigh engagement member 120 is secured a closer distance to thesecond end 134,144 than to the first end 132,142 of each of the pair ofelastic resistance bands 130,140. More preferably, the knee-thighengagement member 120 is secured at the second end 134,144 of each ofthe pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140. Each of the pair ofelastic resistance bands 130,140 has a predetermined length at a restingposition. Each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140 hassufficient elasticity for being stretched lengthwise from the restingposition to at least one stretched, exercising position during use, hassufficient elasticity for returning to the resting position from the atleast one stretched, exercising position, has sufficient elasticity forbeing stretched lengthwise from the resting position to a plurality ofpredetermined adjustment positions P1,P2,P3 and then for being securedin any one of the plurality of predetermined adjustment positionsP1,P2,P3 prior to use, has sufficient elasticity for returning to theresting position from the plurality of predetermined adjustmentpositions P1,P2,P3 after use, and has sufficient strength to endure manyrepetitions of a leg exercise and many uses of the apparatus 100.Preferably, each of the elastic resistance bands 130,140 is made ormanufactured of a rubber material that has sufficient elasticity, anymaterial or combination of materials known to one of ordinary skill inthe art, and any combination thereof.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foot securing mechanism 150for securing or locking the foot engagement member 110 to the pair ofelastic resistance members 130,140 is comprised of and involves asecuring strip and ring device 152 adapted for engaging with thecorresponding securing member 158 Each securing strip and ring device152 is located and secured at the corresponding end 112,114 of the footengagement pad 110, and comprises a strip 154 and a securing member ring156 dimensioned and configured for receiving and securing thecorresponding securing member 158. Thus, in this non-limiting example,each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140 may be detachablysecured or locked to the foot engagement pad 110 by securing or lockingthe securing member 158 to the corresponding securing member ring 156 ofthe securing strip and ring device 152, and may be unsecured or unlockedfrom the foot engagement pad 110 by unsecuring or unlocking the securingmember 158 from the corresponding securing member ring 156 of thesecuring strip and ring device 152. It is obvious to one of ordinaryskill in the art that the foot securing mechanism 150 for securing orlocking the at least one elastic resistance member 130,140 to the footengagement member 110 may be comprised of and/or involve othercomponents and/or methods, such as, but not limited to, the footengagement pad 110 and the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140being made or manufactured as a one-piece unit.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the knee-thigh securingmechanism 160 secures or locks, preferably detachably secured or locks,the knee-thigh engagement member 120 to the pair of elastic resistancemembers 130,140. In this non-limiting example, the knee-thigh securingmechanism 160 and the plurality of length adjustment and securingdevices 180,181 work in conjunction with one another. The knee-thighsecuring mechanism 160 is comprised of securing member 168 located atthe corresponding second ends 134,144 of the elastic resistance members130,140 and involves a plurality of securing strip and ring devices182,183 of the plurality of length adjustment and securing devices180,181 that are adapted for engaging with the corresponding securingmember 168. Preferably, the plurality of securing strip and ring devices182,183 are positioned on the top side 128 of the knee-thigh engagementpad 120 in a linear arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5. Eachsecuring strip and ring device 182,183 comprises a strip 184,185 and asecuring member ring 186,187 dimensioned and configured for receivingand securing the corresponding securing member 168. Preferably, a firstsecuring strip and ring device of the plurality of securing strip andring devices 182,183 is located and secured at the corresponding end122,124 of the knee-thigh engagement pad 120, and then the remainingsecuring strip and ring devices of the plurality of securing strip andring devices 182,183 are spaced apart at predetermined distances alongthe knee-thigh engagement member 120 from the first securing strip andring device and from one another such that the plurality of securingstrip and ring devices 182,183 act similar to holes on a waist beltwherein, for the practical application of the apparatus 100, the user Ucan vary the resistance force of each elastic resistance band 130,140 byadjusting the length of each elastic resistance band 130,140 and towhich one of the plurality of securing strip and ring devices 182,183 isthe elastic resistance band 130,140 detachably secured or locked to.

Thus, in this non-limiting example, each of the pair of elasticresistance bands 130,140 may be detachably secured or locked to theknee-thigh engagement pad 110 by securing or locking the securing member168, which is secured with the elastic resistance bands 130,140, to thecorresponding securing member ring 186,187 of the securing strip andring device 182,183. Further, each of the pair of elastic resistancebands 130,140 may be unsecured or unlocked from the knee-thighengagement pad 110 by unsecuring or unlocking the securing member 168from the corresponding securing member ring 186,187 of the securingstrip and ring device 182,183. It is obvious to one of ordinary skill inthe art that the knee-thigh securing mechanism 160 for securing orlocking the at least one elastic resistance member 130,140 to theknee-thigh engagement member 120 may be comprised of and/or involveother components and/or methods, such as, but not limited to, theknee-thigh engagement pad 120 and the pair of elastic resistance bands130,140 being made or manufactured as a one-piece unit.

Preferably, in this non-limiting example and as best shown in FIGS. 1and 3-5, the plurality of length adjustment and securing devices 180,181secure each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140 in any oneof the plurality of predetermined adjustment positions P1,P2,P3. In thisnon-limiting example, the plurality of length adjustment and securingdevices 180,181 comprise a plurality of securing strip and ring devices182,183 wherein each securing strip and ring device 182,183 comprises astrip 184,185 and a securing member ring 186,187. The plurality oflength adjustment and securing devices 180,181 are positioned in anarrangement along at least one of the top side 128 of the knee-thighengagement member 120, the bottom side 129 of the knee-thigh engagementmember 120, and the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140,Preferably, the arrangement is a linear arrangement (as shown in FIGS. 1and 3-5) wherein a first plurality of length adjustment and securingdevices 180 of the plurality of length adjustment and securing devices180,181 are positioned about the first end 122 of the top side 128 ofthe knee-thigh engagement member 120 for engaging with and securing thefirst elastic resistance band 130 for length adjustments made by theuser, and wherein a second plurality of length adjustment and securingdevices 181 of the plurality of length adjustment and securing devices180,181 are positioned about the second end 124 of the top side 128 ofthe knee-thigh engagement member 120 for engaging with and securing thesecond elastic resistance band 140 for length adjustments made by theuser. The plurality of length adjustment and securing devices 180,181allow different users to adjust the length of each of the pair ofelastic resistance bands 130,140 to accommodate different lengths oflower legs LL of the different users U and to accommodate a preferredresistance force of each of the pair of elastic resistance bands130,140.

In use, as a non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 1, a user U canbegin and perform a leg exercise while sitting down on a sittingstructure (or alternatively, standing in a modified standing position)by carrying out the following steps: (1) securing the adjustable legexercise apparatus 100, which has been preferably fully or partiallyassembled, to the user's exercising leg ELG by positioning a frontportion FP of the exercising foot EFT over the top side 118 of the footengagement pad 110, which is positioned on a floor, the ground, or anyother applicable solid surface, and between the pair of elasticresistance bands 130,140 and then positioning the knee-thigh engagementpad 120 over the upper portion of the thigh area near the knee of theexercising knee-thigh EKT of the user U; (2) adjusting the length of thepair of elastic resistance bands 130,140 to a desired exercise lengthand desired resistance force by securing the securing members 168 of theelastic resistance bands 130,140 to the corresponding securing memberrings 186,187 of the securing strip and ring devices 182,183 that arepositioned on the knee-thigh engagement pad 120; and (3) performing theleg exercise by stepping on, or applying downward force or pressure on,the foot engagement pad 110 with the front portion FP of the exercisingfoot EFT while the adjustable leg exercise apparatus 100 is temporarilysecured in place and then alternatively raising and lowering the heel HLof the exercising foot EFT. Alternatively, other portions (such as, butnot limited to, the heel HL) of the exercising foot EFT may bepositioned over the top side 118 of the foot engagement pad 110 andbetween the pair of elastic resistance bands 130,140 during use suchthat the user is able to perform a leg exercise by applying downwardforce and pressure on the foot engagement pad 110 with the heel HL whilethe adjustable leg exercise apparatus 100 is temporarily secured inplace and then alternatively raising and lowering the front portion FP.

In a second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6-14, the adjustable legexercise apparatus 200 is substantially similar to the adjustable legexercise apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, with some differences,such as the knee-thigh engagement member 220 further including a pair ofknee-thigh strap members 290,291 secured to the bottom side 229 of theknee-thigh pad 210.

The adjustable leg exercise apparatus 200 includes a foot engagementmember 210; a knee-thigh engagement member 220; at least one elasticresistance member 230,240; at least one foot securing mechanism 250 forsecuring or locking the foot engagement member 210 to the at least oneelastic resistance member 230,240; at least one knee-thigh securingmechanism 260 for securing or locking the knee-thigh engagement member220 to the at least one elastic resistance member 230,240; and aplurality of length adjustment and securing devices 280,281 for securingeach of the at least one elastic resistance member 230,240 in any one ofthe plurality of predetermined adjustment positions P1,P2,P3.

The foot engagement member 210 may be a foot engagement pad, a footengagement strap, a shoe, a sandal, a slipper, a piece or portion ofrope, any foot engagement member known to one of ordinary skill in theart, or any combination thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 6-9, the footengagement member 210 is a foot engagement pad 210 that comprises afirst end 212, a second end 214, a body 216 extending from the first end212 to the second end 214, a top side 218, and a bottom side 219. Thebody 216 is dimensioned and configured for receiving, accommodating orengaging with at least a sufficient portion of an exercising foot EFT ofthe user U during use such that the adjustable leg exercise apparatus200 is temporarily secured in place by the exercising foot EFT andexercising knee-thigh EKT to allow the user U to perform a leg exercisewith the exercising leg ELG. In a non-limiting example and as shown inFIG. 6, the foot engagement pad 210 is positioned underneath theexercising foot EFT during use.

The knee-thigh engagement member 220 may be a knee-thigh engagement pad,a knee-thigh engagement strap, any knee-thigh engagement member known toone of ordinary skill in the art, or any combination thereof. As bestshown in FIGS. 6-7, 10-11 and 13-14, the knee-thigh engagement member220 is a knee-thigh engagement pad 220 that comprises a first end 222, asecond end 224, a body 226 extending from the first end 222 to thesecond end 224, a top side 228, and a bottom side 229. The body 226 isdimensioned and configured for accommodating or engaging with at least asufficient portion of an exercising knee-thigh EKT, preferably above theknee cap KCAP and near or at the pre-thigh to thigh area THI, of theuser U during use such that the adjustable leg exercise apparatus 200 istemporarily secured in place by the exercising foot EFT and exercisingknee-thigh EKT to allow the user U to perform a leg exercise with theexercising leg ELG. In a non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 6,the knee-thigh engagement pad 220 wraps over or is positioned near thepre-thigh to thigh area THI of the exercising knee-thigh EKT of the userU during use. Preferably, the knee-thigh engagement pad 220 hassufficient flexibility such that the knee-thigh engagement pad 220 isable to wrap over the upper portion of the pre-thigh to thigh area THIof the exercising knee-thigh EKT of the user U during use.Alternatively, the the knee-thigh engagement pad 220 may be made ormanufactured in a particular shape where the knee-thigh engagement pad220 is able to wrap over the upper portion of the pre-thigh to thigharea THI of the exercising knee-thigh EKT of the user U during use.Preferably, the pair of knee-thigh strap members 290,291 may be secured(such as by Velcro, etc.) to one another around the user's exercisingthigh ET to provide extra securing measures for the adjustable legexercise apparatus 200. Each of the pair of knee-thigh strap members290,291 comprises a first end 292,293, a second end 294,295, and a body296,297 extending between the first end 292,293 and second end 294,295,respectively. The first ends 292,293 of the knee-thigh strap members290,291 are secured to, or an extension of, the corresponding first end222 and second end 224 of the knee-thigh engagement pad 220. Preferably,the second end 294 of knee-thigh strap member 290 has hooks or loops ofthe Velcro securing means while the second end 295 of knee-thigh strapmember 291 has loops or hooks (opposite of second end 294) of the Velcrosecuring means such that the hooks and loops are applied together tosecure the knee-thigh engagement pad 220 to the exercising thigh ETduring use.

Preferably, the at least one elastic resistance member 230,240 is a pairof elastic resistance members 230,240. Preferably, each of the pair ofelastic resistance members 230,240 is substantially or exactly the sameas the other. Each of the pair of elastic resistance members 230,240 maybe an elastic resistance band, an elastic resistance rope, any elasticresistance member known to one of ordinary skill in the art, or anycombination thereof. As best shown in FIGS. 6-9 and 12-14, the pair ofelastic resistance members 130,140 is a pair of elastic resistance bands230,240 wherein each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240comprises a first end 232,242, a second end 234,244, and an elongatedbody 236,246 extending from the first end 232,242 to the second end234,244. Preferably, the foot engagement member 210 is secured a closerdistance to the first end 232,242 than to the second end 234,244 of eachof the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240. More preferably, thefoot engagement member 210 is secured at the first end 232,242 of eachof the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240. Preferably, theknee-thigh engagement member 220 is secured a closer distance to thesecond end 234,244 than to the first end 232,242 of each of the pair ofelastic resistance bands 230,240, More preferably, the knee-thighengagement member 220 is secured at the second end 234,244 of each ofthe pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240. Each of the pair ofelastic resistance bands 230,240 has a predetermined length at a restingposition. Each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 hassufficient elasticity for being stretched lengthwise from the restingposition to at least one stretched, exercising position during use, hassufficient elasticity for returning to the resting position from the atleast one stretched, exercising position, has sufficient elasticity forbeing stretched lengthwise from the resting position to a plurality ofpredetermined adjustment positions P1,P2,P3 and then for being securedin any one of the plurality of predetermined adjustment positionsP1,P2,P3 prior to use, has sufficient elasticity for returning to theresting position from the plurality of predetermined adjustmentpositions P1,P2,P3 after use, and has sufficient strength to endure manyrepetitions of a leg exercise and many uses of the apparatus 200.Preferably, each of the elastic resistance bands 230,240 is made ormanufactured of a rubber material that has sufficient elasticity, anymaterial or combination of materials known to one of ordinary skill inthe art, and any combination thereof.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 6-9, the foot securing mechanism 250 forsecuring or locking the foot engagement member 210 to the pair ofelastic resistance members 230,240 is comprised of and involves asecuring strip device 252 adapted for engaging with the correspondingsecuring bulb or member 258. Each securing strip device 252 is locatedand secured at the corresponding end 212,214 of the foot engagement pad210, and comprises a strip 254 and a securing bulb opening 256dimensioned and configured for receiving and securing the correspondingsecuring bulb member 258. Thus, in this non-limiting example, each ofthe pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 may be detachably securedor locked to the foot engagement pad 210 by securing or locking thesecuring bulb member 258 to the corresponding securing bulb opening 256of the securing strip device 252, and may be unsecured or unlocked fromthe foot engagement pad 210 by unsecuring or unlocking the securing bulbmember 258 from the corresponding securing bulb opening 256 of thesecuring strip device 252. It is obvious to one of ordinary skill in theart that the foot securing mechanism 250 for securing or locking the atleast one elastic resistance member 230,240 to the foot engagementmember 210 may be comprised of and/or involve other components and/ormethods, such as, but not limited to, the foot engagement pad 210 andthe pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 being made or manufacturedas a one-piece unit.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 6-14, the knee-thigh securing mechanism260 secures or locks, preferably detachably secured or locks, theknee-thigh engagement member 220 to the pair of elastic resistancemembers 230,240. In this non-limiting example, the knee-thigh securingmechanism 260 and the plurality of length adjustment and securingdevices 280,281 work in conjunction with one another. The knee-thighsecuring mechanism 260 is comprised of securing member 268 located atthe corresponding second ends 234,244 and involves a plurality ofsecuring strip and slot devices 282,283 of the plurality of lengthadjustment and securing devices 280,281 that are adapted for engagingwith the corresponding securing bulb and ring device 268. Preferably,the plurality of securing strip and slot devices 282,283 are positionedon the top side 228 of the knee-thigh engagement pad 220 in a lineararrangement as shown in FIGS. 6-7, 10-11 and 13-14. Each securing stripand slot device 282,283 comprises a strip 284,285 and a slot 286,287dimensioned and configured for receiving and securing the correspondingsecuring bulb and ring device 268. Preferably, a first securing stripand slot device of the plurality of securing strip and slot devices282,283 is located and secured at the corresponding end 222,224 of theknee-thigh engagement pad 220, and then the remaining securing strip andslot devices of the plurality of securing strip and slot devices 282,283are spaced apart at predetermined distances along the knee-thighengagement member 220 from the first securing strip and slot device andfrom one another such that the plurality of securing strip and slotdevices 282,283 act similar to holes on a waist belt wherein, for thepractical application of the apparatus 200, the user U can vary theresistance force of each elastic resistance band 230,240 by adjustingthe length of each elastic resistance band 230,240 and to which one ofthe plurality of securing strip and slot devices 282,283 is the elasticresistance band 230,240 detachably secured or locked to.

Thus, in this non-limiting example, each of the pair of elasticresistance bands 230,240 may be detachably secured or locked to theknee-thigh engagement pad 210 by securing or locking the securing bulband ring device 268, secured with the elastic resistance bands 230,240,to the corresponding slot 286,287 of the securing strip and slot device282,283. Further, each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240may be unsecured or unlocked from the knee-thigh engagement pad 210 byunsecuring or unlocking the securing bulb and ring device 268 from thecorresponding slot 286,287 of the securing strip and slot device282,283. It is obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that theknee-thigh securing mechanism 260 for securing or locking the at leastone elastic resistance member 230,240 to the knee-thigh engagementmember 220 may be comprised of and/or involve other components and/ormethods, such as, but not limited to, the knee-thigh engagement pad 220and the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 being made ormanufactured as a one-piece unit.

Preferably, in this non-limiting example and as best shown in FIGS. 6-7,10-11 and 13-14, the plurality of length adjustment and securing devices280,281 secure each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 inany one of the plurality of predetermined adjustment positions P1,P2,P3.In this non-limiting example, the plurality of length adjustment andsecuring devices 280,281 comprise a plurality of securing strip and ringdevices 282,283 183 wherein each securing strip and ring device 282,283comprises a strip 284,285 and a securing member ring 286,287. Theplurality of length adjustment and securing devices 280,281 arepositioned in an arrangement along at least one of the top side 228 ofthe knee-thigh engagement member 220, the bottom side 229 of theknee-thigh engagement member 220, and the pair of elastic resistancebands 230,240, Preferably, the arrangement is a linear arrangement (asshown in FIGS. 6-7, 10-11 and 13-14) wherein a first plurality of lengthadjustment and securing devices 280 of the plurality of lengthadjustment and securing devices 280,281 are positioned about the firstend 222 of the top side 228 of the knee-thigh engagement member 220 forengaging with and securing the first elastic resistance band 230 forlength adjustments made by the user, and wherein a second plurality oflength adjustment and securing devices 281 of the plurality of lengthadjustment and securing devices 280,281 are positioned about the secondend 224 of the top side 228 of the knee-thigh engagement member 220 forengaging with and securing the second elastic resistance band 240 forlength adjustments made by the user. The plurality of length adjustmentand securing devices 280,281 allow different users to adjust the lengthof each of the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 to accommodatedifferent lengths of lower legs LL of the different users U and toaccommodate a preferred resistance force of each of the pair of elasticresistance bands 230,240 allow different users to adjust the length ofeach of the pair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 to accommodatedifferent lengths of lower legs LL of the different users U and toaccommodate a preferred resistance force of each of the pair of elasticresistance bands 230,240.

In use, as a non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 6, a user U canbegin and perform a leg exercise while sitting down on a sittingstructure (or alternatively, standing in a modified standing position)by carrying out the following steps: (1) securing the adjustable legexercise apparatus 200, which has been preferably fully or partiallyassembled, to the user's exercising leg ELG by positioning a frontportion FP of the exercising foot EFT over the top side 218 of the footengagement pad 210, which is positioned on a floor, the ground, or anyother applicable solid surface, and between the pair of elasticresistance bands 230,240 and then positioning the knee-thigh engagementpad 220 over the upper portion of the thigh area near the knee of theexercising knee-thigh EKT of the user U; (2) adjusting the length of thepair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 to a desired exercise lengthand desired resistance force by securing the securing bulb and ringdevices 268 of the elastic resistance bands 230,240 to the correspondingslots 286,287 of the securing strip and slot devices 282,283 that arepositioned on the knee-thigh engagement pad 220; (3) securing theknee-thigh strap members 290,291 to one another around the exercisingthigh ET of the user U; and (4) performing the leg exercise by steppingon, or applying downward force or pressure on, the foot engagement pad210 with the front portion FP of the exercising foot EFT while theadjustable leg exercise apparatus 200 is temporarily secured in placeand then alternatively raising and lowering the heel HL of theexercising foot EFT. Alternatively, other portions (such as, but notlimited to, the heel HL) of the exercising foot EFT may be positionedover the top side 218 of the foot engagement pad 210 and between thepair of elastic resistance bands 230,240 during use such that the useris able to perform a leg exercise by applying downward force andpressure on the foot engagement pad 210 with the heel HL while theadjustable leg exercise apparatus 200 is temporarily secured in placeand then alternatively raising and lowering the front portion FP.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above or as shown in the attached figures, butencompasses any and all embodiments within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable leg exercise apparatus comprising:a foot engagement member comprising a top side, a bottom side, a firstend, a second end, and a body extending from said first end to saidsecond end of said foot engagement member, wherein said foot engagementmember is dimensioned and configured for engaging with a sufficientportion of an exercising foot of an exercising leg of a user during use;a knee-thigh engagement member comprising a top side, a bottom side, afirst end, a second end, and a body extending from said first end tosaid second end of said knee-thigh engagement member, wherein saidknee-thigh engagement member is dimensioned and configured for engagingwith a sufficient portion of an exercising knee-thigh of the exercisingleg of the user during use; at least one elastic resistance member,wherein each of said at least one elastic resistance member comprises afirst end, a second end, and an elongated body extending from said firstend to said second end of said each of said at least one elasticresistance member, wherein said each of said at least one elasticresistance member has a predetermined length at a resting position,wherein said foot engagement member is secured a closer distance to saidfirst end than to said second end of said each of said at least oneelastic resistance member, wherein said knee-thigh engagement member issecured a closer distance to said second end than to said first end ofsaid each of said at least one elastic resistance member, and whereinsaid each of said at least one elastic resistance member has sufficientelasticity for being stretched lengthwise from said resting position toat least one stretched, exercising position during use, has sufficientelasticity for returning to said resting position from said at least onestretched, exercising position, has sufficient elasticity for beingstretched lengthwise from said resting position to a plurality ofpredetermined adjustment positions and then for being secured in any oneof said plurality of predetermined adjustment positions prior to use,and has sufficient elasticity for returning to said resting positionfrom said plurality of predetermined adjustment positions after use; atleast one foot securing mechanism for securing said foot engagementmember to said at least one elastic resistance member; at least oneknee-thigh securing mechanism for securing said knee-thigh engagementmember to said at least one elastic resistance member; and a pluralityof length adjustment and securing devices for securing said each of saidat least one elastic resistance member in any one of said plurality ofpredetermined adjustment positions, wherein said plurality of lengthadjustment and securing devices are positioned in an arrangement alongat least one of said top side of said knee-thigh engagement member, saidbottom side of said knee-thigh engagement member, and said at least oneelastic resistance member, wherein said plurality of length adjustmentand securing devices allow different users to adjust the length of saideach of said at least one elastic resistance member to accommodatedifferent lower leg lengths of the different users and to accommodate apreferred resistance force of said each of said at least one elasticresistance member, wherein, prior to use, each of said foot engagementmember and said knee-thigh engagement member is secured to each of saidat least one elastic resistance member in an applicable position viasaid at least one foot securing mechanism and at least one knee-thighsecuring mechanism, respectively, wherein, prior to use, said footengagement member is positioned on an exercising surface such that saidbottom side of said foot engagement member makes contact with theexercising surface, wherein, prior to use, said foot engagement memberand said knee-thigh engagement member are engaged with the exercisingfoot and the exercising knee-thigh, respectively, of the user, wherein,prior to use, each of said at least one elastic resistance member issecured in a preferred, predetermined adjustment position of saidplurality of predetermined adjustment positions via said plurality oflength adjustment and securing devices, and wherein, after assembly ofsaid adjustable leg exercise apparatus, after securement of saidadjustable leg exercise apparatus to the exercising leg of the user, andduring use, the user is able to perform a leg exercise by applying adownward force on said foot engagement member with a front portion ofthe exercising foot and then alternatively raising a heel of theexercising foot whereby said each of said at least one elasticresistance member is stretched lengthwise from said resting position tosaid at least one stretched, exercising position and then lowering theheel whereby said each of said at least one elastic resistance member isretracted lengthwise from said at least one stretched, exercisingposition to said resting position, or alternatively, at least one otherportion of the exercising foot is positioned in an engagement positionwith said foot engagement member during use such that the user is ableto perform an alternative leg exercise by applying a downward force onsaid foot engagement member with the heel and then alternatively raisingand lowering the front portion of the exercising foot.
 2. The adjustableleg exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said atleast one elastic resistance member is an elastic resistance band. 3.The adjustable leg exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidat least one foot securing mechanism secures said foot engagement memberabout said first end of said at least one elastic resistance member, andwherein said at least one knee-thigh securing mechanism secures saidknee-thigh engagement member about said second end of said at least oneelastic resistance member.
 4. The adjustable leg exercise apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said arrangement of said plurality oflength adjustment and securing devices is a linear arrangement.
 5. Theadjustable leg exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidknee-thigh engagement member further comprises a knee-thigh wrappingdevice for wrapping around at least a substantial portion of theexercising knee-thigh of the exercising leg of the user during use. 6.The adjustable leg exercise apparatus according to claim 5, wherein eachof said at least one elastic resistance member is an elastic resistanceband.
 7. The adjustable leg exercise apparatus according to claim 5,wherein said at least one foot securing mechanism secures said footengagement member about said first end of said at least one elasticresistance member, and wherein said at least one knee-thigh securingmechanism secures said knee-thigh engagement member about said secondend of said at least one elastic resistance member.
 8. The adjustableleg exercise apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said knee-thighwrapping device is a first wrapping strap and a second wrapping strap,wherein said first wrapping strap is secured about said first end ofsaid knee-thigh engagement member, wherein said second wrapping strap issecured about said second end of said knee-thigh engagement member, andwherein said first wrapping strap and said second wrapping strap wraparound the exercising knee-thigh of the exercising leg of the user andare secured to one another during use.
 9. The adjustable leg exerciseapparatus according to claim 5, wherein said arrangement of saidplurality of length adjustment and securing devices is a lineararrangement.
 10. An adjustable leg exercise apparatus comprising: a footengagement member comprising a top side, a bottom side, a first end, asecond end, and a body extending from said first end to said second endof said foot engagement member, wherein said foot engagement member isdimensioned and configured for engaging with a sufficient portion of anexercising foot of an exercising leg of a user during use; a knee-thighengagement member comprising a top side, a bottom side, a first end, asecond end, and a body extending from said first end to said second endof said knee-thigh engagement member, wherein said knee-thigh engagementmember is dimensioned and configured for engaging with a sufficientportion of an exercising knee-thigh of the exercising leg of the userduring use; a first elastic resistance member and a second elasticresistance member, wherein each of said first and second elasticresistance members comprises a first end, a second end, and an elongatedbody extending from said first end to said second end of a correspondingelastic resistance member of said first and second elastic resistancemembers, wherein each of said first and second elastic resistancemembers has a predetermined length at a resting position, wherein saidfoot engagement member is secured a closer distance to said first endthan to said second end of each of said first and second elasticresistance members, wherein said knee-thigh engagement member is secureda closer distance to said second end than to said first end of each ofsaid first and second elastic resistance members, and wherein said eachof said first and second elastic resistance members has sufficientelasticity for being stretched lengthwise from said resting position toat least one stretched, exercising position during use, has sufficientelasticity for returning to said resting position from said at least onestretched, exercising position, has sufficient elasticity for beingstretched lengthwise from said resting position to a plurality ofpredetermined adjustment positions and then for being secured in any oneof said plurality of predetermined adjustment positions prior to use,and has sufficient elasticity for returning to said resting positionfrom said plurality of predetermined adjustment positions after use; afirst foot securing mechanism for securing said foot engagement memberto said first elastic resistance member; a second foot securingmechanism for securing said foot engagement member to said secondelastic resistance member; a first knee-thigh securing mechanism forsecuring said knee-thigh engagement member to said first elasticresistance member; a second knee-thigh securing mechanism for securingsaid knee-thigh engagement member to said second elastic resistancemember; and a plurality of length adjustment and securing devices forsecuring each of said first and second elastic resistance members in anyone of said plurality of predetermined adjustment positions, whereinsaid plurality of length adjustment and securing devices are positionedin an arrangement along at least one of said top side of said knee-thighengagement member, said bottom side of said knee-thigh engagementmember, and said at least one elastic resistance member, wherein saidplurality of length adjustment and securing devices allow differentusers to adjust the length of said each of said first and second elasticresistance members to accommodate different lower leg lengths of thedifferent users and to accommodate a preferred resistance force of saideach of said first and second elastic resistance members, wherein, priorto use, said first foot engagement member and said second footengagement member are secured to said first elastic resistance memberand said second elastic resistance member, respectively, in applicablepositions via said first foot securing mechanism and said second footsecuring mechanism, respectively, wherein, prior to use, said firstknee-thigh engagement member and said second knee-thigh engagementmember are secured to said first elastic resistance member and saidsecond elastic resistance member, respectively, in applicable positionsvia said first knee-thigh securing mechanism and said second knee-thighsecuring mechanism, respectively, wherein, prior to use, said footengagement member is positioned on an exercising surface such that saidbottom side of said foot engagement member makes contact with theexercising surface, wherein, prior to use, said foot engagement memberand said knee-thigh engagement member are engaged with the exercisingfoot and the exercising knee-thigh, respectively, of the user, wherein,prior to use, each of said first elastic resistance member and saidsecond elastic resistance member is secured in a preferred,predetermined adjustment position of said plurality of predeterminedadjustment positions via said plurality of length adjustment andsecuring devices, and wherein, after assembly of said adjustable legexercise apparatus, after securement of said adjustable leg exerciseapparatus to the exercising leg of the user, and during use, the user isable to perform a leg exercise by applying a downward force on said footengagement member with a front portion of the exercising foot that ispositioned within an open leg-receiving area located between said firstand second elastic resistance members when said adjustable leg exerciseapparatus is assembled and secured to the exercising leg and thenalternatively raising a heel of the exercising foot whereby said each ofsaid first and second elastic resistance members is stretched lengthwisefrom said resting position to said at least one stretched, exercisingposition and then lowering the heel whereby said each of said first andsecond elastic resistance members is retracted lengthwise from said atleast one stretched, exercising position to said resting position, oralternatively, at least one other portion of the exercising foot ispositioned in an engagement position with said foot engagement memberand inside the open leg-receiving area during use such that the user isable to perform an alternative leg exercise by applying a downward forceon said foot engagement member with the heel and then alternativelyraising and lowering the front portion of the exercising foot.
 11. Theadjustable leg exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each ofsaid first and second elastic resistance members is an elasticresistance band.
 12. The adjustable leg exercise apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein said first foot securing mechanism secures said footengagement member about said first end of said first elastic resistancemember, wherein said second foot securing mechanism secures said footengagement member about said first end of said second elastic resistancemember, wherein said first knee-thigh securing mechanism secures saidknee-thigh engagement member about said second end of said first elasticresistance member, and wherein said second knee-thigh securing mechanismsecures said knee-thigh engagement member about said second end of saidsecond elastic resistance member.
 13. The adjustable leg exerciseapparatus according to claim 10, wherein said arrangement of saidplurality of length adjustment and securing devices is a lineararrangement.
 14. The adjustable leg exercise apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein a first plurality of length adjustment and securingdevices of said plurality of length adjustment and securing devices arepositioned about said first end of said top side of said knee-thighengagement member for engaging with and securing said first elasticresistance member for length adjustments made by the user, and wherein asecond plurality of length adjustment and securing devices of saidplurality of adjustment and securing devices are positioned about saidsecond end of said top side of said knee-thigh engagement member forengaging with and securing said second elastic resistance member forlength adjustments made by the user.
 15. The adjustable leg exerciseapparatus according to claim 10, wherein said knee-thigh engagementmember further comprises a knee-thigh wrapping device for wrappingaround at least a substantial portion of the exercising knee-thigh ofthe exercising leg of the user during use.
 16. The adjustable legexercise apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of said first andsecond elastic resistance members is an elastic resistance band.
 17. Theadjustable leg exercise apparatus according to claim 15, wherein saidfirst foot securing mechanism secures said foot engagement member aboutsaid first end of said first elastic resistance member, wherein saidsecond foot securing mechanism secures said foot engagement member aboutsaid first end of said second elastic resistance member, wherein saidfirst knee-thigh securing mechanism secures said knee-thigh engagementmember about said second end of said first elastic resistance member,and wherein said second knee-thigh securing mechanism secures saidknee-thigh engagement member about said second end of said secondelastic resistance member.
 18. The adjustable leg exercise apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein said knee-thigh wrapping device is afirst wrapping strap and a second wrapping strap, wherein said firstwrapping strap is secured about said first end of said knee-thighengagement member, wherein said second wrapping strap is secured aboutsaid second end of said knee-thigh engagement member, and wherein saidfirst wrapping strap and said second wrapping strap wrap around theexercising knee-thigh of the exercising leg of the user and are securedto one another during use.
 19. The adjustable leg exercise apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein said arrangement of said plurality oflength adjustment and securing devices is a linear arrangement.
 20. Theadjustable leg exercise apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a firstplurality of length adjustment and securing devices of said plurality oflength adjustment and securing devices are positioned about said firstend of said top side of said knee-thigh engagement member for engagingwith and securing said first elastic resistance member for lengthadjustments made by the user, and wherein a second plurality of lengthadjustment and securing devices of said plurality of length adjustmentand securing devices are positioned about said second end of said topside of said knee-thigh engagement member for engaging with and securingsaid second elastic resistance member for length adjustments made by theuser.